2020 was not a great year for a variety of reasons, one of which was stagnation in the budget end of the IEM market. There were no budget IEM launches this year that had the kind of industry-shaking impact that the Blon BL-03 had in 2019. Instead, a lot of companies fell into ruts, iterating on past designs without much forward movement. What follows is a roundup of all the in-ear monitors (IEMs) that didn’t make it onto my blog in 2020.
Before moving into the roundup, I want to give a shoutout to HiFiGo, Linsoul, Better Audio US, KBEAR, Nicehck, and TRN for providing the IEMs that I’m about to discuss. All of these storefronts and manufacturers have supported me a lot over the last few years and have provided me with IEMs that I actually liked. …
The Eartune Fidelity U eartips are elliptical aftermarket in-ear monitor (IEM) eartips by ADV. The Eartune Fidelity U eartips retail for $24.99 per three-pack. It should be noted that this is very expensive, even among other aftermarket IEM tips. ADV shipped me four three-packs of Eartune Fidelity U eartips in XS, S, M, and L sizes free of charge in exchange for my impressions.
The silicone used in the Eartune Fidelity U eartips was of noticeably higher quality than many other aftermarket tips in terms of feel. The eartips are very soft and quite stretchy. They are extremely comfortable and seal well if inserted deep enough. This can be challenging with many shallow-fitting IEMs because the appropriateness of the eartips’ sizing nomenclature is questionable. The eartips in each size category seem undersized by around one full step compared to other eartips. …
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:
The Moondrop Super Spaceship Pulse (SSP) is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using a beryllium-coated dome diaphragm dynamic driver. The SSP retails for $40 at HiFiGo. I received the Moondrop SSP from HiFiGo in exchange for a fair and objective review.
SOURCES:
I have used the Moondrop SSP with the following sources:
- JDS Labs The Element
- Qudelix 5K
- E1DA 9038D
I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:
The TRN V90S is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) with a 1 dynamic driver (DD)+ 5 balanced armature (BA) configuration. The V90S is a direct successor to the TRN V90, which I previously reviewed on this blog:
TRN V90 Review. Here Comes the Boom | by Alec | Bedrock Reviews | Medium
Although it normally retails for around $50, the V90S will be available for $20 on TRN’s official AliExpress store for just $20. The V90S is available for purchase at the link below:
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:
The Dunu Luna is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using a single pure beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver (DD) in each earpiece. The Luna retails for $1700. I had the opportunity to listen to the Luna through a review tour organized by Dunu. I am not being compensated for writing this review.
TANGIBLES:
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:
The V-Moda M-200 is an over-ear dynamic driver headphone that retails for around $350. I received the M-200 as part of the V-Moda Hardware Review Program. I had a few weeks with the M-200 before shipping it back to V-Moda. As compensation for taking part in the program, I received a discount code for use at V-Moda’s online storefront.
V-Moda was one of the first audiophile-adjacent headphone brands I owned as I started getting more interested in headphones and hi-fi as a teenager. Previous V-Moda headphones I’ve owned include the LP2 and the M-80. …
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:
The Blon BL-05S is an in-ear monitor (IEM) with a 10mm carbon nanotube (CNT) diaphragm dynamic driver (DD). The release of the BL-05S closely follows that of the BL-05, which was widely regarded as a disappointing follow-up to the infamous BL-03. Thanks to the shipping delays caused by COVID-19, I did not receive my BL-05 review unit until many months after its release and elected to wait to review it alongside its successor. The BL-05S currently retails towards the lower end of the $40–50 price range. I received the BL-05S and the BL-05 directly from Blon, along with a Blon-compatible upgrade cable. …
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:
The KZ ZAX is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) with a 10mm PEK spring diaphragm dynamic driver (DD) and seven balanced armatures (BAs) on each side. KZ is one of the biggest names in ChiFi, and I thought highly of the ZSX “Terminator,” KZ’s last major wired hybrid IEM release. However, following the release of the ZSX, KZ’s previously frenetic release schedule slowed to trickle, and what new products they did announce fell mostly into the total wireless stereo (TWS) category. …
INTRODUCTION, DISCLAIMER, AND PRODUCT LINK:
The CVJ CSA is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) using one dual magnetic dynamic driver and one balanced armature on each side. CSA is a recent entrant to the Chi-Fi scene, and the CSA joins a crowded price bracket of 1+1 hybrids currently dominated by the KBEAR KB04. The CSA retails for $26.99 on Amazon at the time of this review. I purchased the CSA on Amazon and was reimbursed for my purchase by CSA prior to the arrival of the review unit, at a net cost to me of $.52.
The CVJ CSA can be purchased at the link…
INTRODUCTION, DISCLAIMER, AND PRODUCT LINK:
The KBEAR KB04 is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) using a 10mm PU diaphragm dynamic driver and a balanced armature on each side. The KB04 retails for around $25 on KBEAR’s official AliExpress store. I received the KB04 directly from KB EAR. The KB04 can be purchased at the link below:
SOURCES:
I have used the KBEAR KB04 with the following sources:
- JDS Labs The Element
- Qudelix 5K
I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to:
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:
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